OKFWCO Oklahoma Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office 

Position Details: 

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Oklahoma Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office are seeking an intern who will assist the office by monitoring the Red River to determine how far upstream invasive carp are reproducing by collecting, sorting and identifying larval and small-bodied fish.  Intern will prepare and disinfect all equipment on a regular basis.  Intern will be sorting through collection samples, completing equipment/building maintenance, and grounds upkeep as a major part of their job.  Additional duties will include assisting biologist with the collection, removal, and acoustic monitoring of adult bigheaded carp.  Intern may assist with the collection of Paddlefish broodstock and potentially aid with the rearing/tagging of aquatic species reared at the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery.    

Position Responsibilities will include: 

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• \nSorting through Red River ichthyoplankton tow and light trap samples collected this past summer looking for fish eggs and larval fish \n
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• \nEquipment disinfection and repair along with general grounds/buildings upkeep \n
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• \nIdentification of larval and small-bodied fish \n
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• \nCollection of bigheaded carp for acoustic and ageing work \n
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• \nBigheaded Carp acoustic monitoring in the Red River below Denison Dam \n
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• \nCollection of Paddlefish Broodstock \n
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• \nFieldwork will be completed in multiple rivers across Oklahoma.  Intern will have the opportunity to work from boats and waders in a variety of environments \n
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Minimum Requirements: 

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• \nWilling to learn new skills \n
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• \nWilling to undergo and pass a required criminal history check.  \n
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• \nA strong interest in a career in natural resource conservation science.   \n
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• \nYou must be eligible to serve in AmeriCorps State & National direct Service programs (must not have served more than 4 terms in AmeriCorps). \n
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• \nYou must be available to work a 40-hour week for the 26-week term \n
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• \nYou must have a driver’s license and an insurable driving record \n
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• \nYou must be between 18 and 34 years of age. \n
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• \nYou must have received a High School Diploma or GED  \n
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• \nYou must be a member of a federally-recognized Indian Tribe, Band, or Village; Alaska Native; or meet one of the following descriptions: \n
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• \nPersons who possess at least one-half degree Indian blood derived from Tribes Indigenous to the United States. \n
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• \nDescendants of Members of Federally-Recognized Indian Tribes, Bands or Communities who were residing on any Indian Reservation on June 1, 1934 – shown by completing BIA Form 4432. \n
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Preferred Qualifications:  

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• \nExperience in and around water with the ability to swim \n
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• \nExperience with various boats and watercrafts \n
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• \nValid Driver’s license \n
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• \nExperience with 4x4 vehicles \n
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• \nExperience with hand and small powered tools \n
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• \nExperience with microscopes and various lab equipment \n
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Benefits: 

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• \nLiving Allowance: $600/week (pre-tax) \n
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• \nPosition is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $3,246.50 (pre-tax). \n
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• \nStudent loan forbearance and health insurance  \n
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• \nFederal non-competitive hiring status through the Public Lands Corps upon successfully completion of the program (only those ages 18-30 are eligible for this benefit). \n
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• \nOn-site training of: Microscope operation, aquatic species identification, gear disinfection and repair, water quality, gear techniques such as setting and pulling gill nets, trammel nets, fyke nets, seines, ichthyoplankton tow nets, Quadra-foil light traps etc., general boat operation and water safety \n
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How to Apply: 

Apply on-line at: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/WaterCorps-member-application  In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. 

If you have questions about this position, please contact Brian Fillmore or Stewards Program Coordinator Sierra Miller: smiller@conservationlegacy.org. 

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.